Learn Spanish and Go

When you hear people speaking Spanish, do you often hear them slip in any English words or words that sound just like something you’d say in English? Well, it’s probably code-switching you are hearing, which is the topic of the week!In this episode, Jim and May compare code-switching to “Spanglish” in order to teach us the difference. They in fact are very similar, but not quite the same. Links:Level up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, Kenneth Revelson, and Dennis Knappe.Support the show

Many language learners face the daunting fear of speaking Spanish, often feeling anxious about making mistakes. Personal stories emphasize the importance of practice and exposure to overcome this anxiety. The speakers share strategies, including the 'five-second rule,' encouraging quick engagement in conversation. Cultural differences can further complicate feelings of intimidation, but embracing imperfections as part of the journey can foster confidence. Practical tips and relatable experiences highlight how to conquer language fears and enhance communication.

Andrea Alger, co-creator of Spanishland School and co-host of the Españolistos podcast, shares her insights on Colombian Spanish. She discusses the regional accents and dialects, revealing how accents differ between cities like Medellín and Bogotá. Listeners will learn about unique Colombian expressions, like 'dar papaya' and 'chimbo,' along with cultural nuances. Andrea also shares her journey from teaching English to Spanish and explores the culinary diversity of Colombia, setting the stage for deeper language immersion.

Delve into the world of Mexican food with Jim and May as they discuss ingredients like corn, chiles, and avocado. Learn the differences between Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine, with insights into traditional dishes like tamales and mole. Explore variations in queso preparation between the US and Mexico, the origins of posole, traditional Mexican sauces, and regional variations in popular dishes.

What does it mean to be fluent in a language? How long does it take?In this episode, Jim and May dissect what it means to be fluent and how to get there.Jim goes into depth about his own journey and what methods he used to achieve fluency in less than 2 years.Links:State Department of Language Categories[VIDEO] How Jim learned Spanish[ARTICLE] How Madison (one of our writers) learned SpanishMargarita Madrigal’s Magic Key to SpanishDuolingoSupport us on PatreonLevel up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Kim Kaleta, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, and Kenneth Revelson.Support the show

Have you heard the phrases “la carne de burro no es transparente” or “la suerte de la fea, la bonita la desea” before? Literally, the first one translates to “the donkey meat isn’t transparent,” and the other, “the ugly’s luck, the beautiful want.” But what do they truly mean?In this episode, Jim and May break down multiple Spanish idioms: common phrases that native speakers use that might be hard to understand for Spanish learners.Links:[VIDEO] 21 Must-Know Food Related Saying and IdiomsLevel up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Kim Kaleta, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, and Kenneth Revelson.Support the show

This week, Ben and Marina from Notes in Spanish join Jim and May to talk about the differences between Spanish and culture in Mexico and Spain.Ben, an Englishman, and Marina, a Madrileña (from Madrid, Spain), started the first Spanish learning podcast back in 2006. Not only do they host an incredibly popular podcast, but their work also inspired Jim and May to start an online business. Needless to say, it's is a huge honor to have them on the podcast.In the episode, the two couples discuss the distinctive dialects of Mexican and Spain Spanish, as well as their similarities and differences.Links:Notes in Spanish: Learn Spanish with Ben and MarinaThis podcast helped Jim tremendously when he was starting out with Spanish. Ben and Marina offer transcripts, worksheets, and more for their podcast episodes.Different Spanish Accents From Around the WorldYou can see Marina featured in this video about different Spanish accents in the first collaboration between Notes in Spanish and Spanish and Go on YouTube.La Real Academia EspañolaAnswers your Spanish grammar questions on Twitter using #dudaraeLevel up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Kim Kaleta, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, and Kenneth Revelson.Support the show

Experience a captivating exploration of cultural contrasts between Mexico and Puerto Rico. Discover the unique challenges of living in each place, from cost of living to climate quirks. Dive into culinary traditions, uncovering the delicious differences in local cuisine. Enjoy a vibrant discussion on music styles like reggaeton and mariachi, showcasing each region's rich cultural heritage. Personal anecdotes and travel tips make this conversation both enlightening and entertaining.

In this episode, Jim and May discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living the small town life in Mexico. Learn about the typical routine of people living in these pueblos, and how different the lifestyle can be from the big city.Links:Tradition Mexican Drinks You’ve Never Heard of BeforeRecorded in Comala, Colima MexicoLevel Up Your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrases Test your comprehension with a multiple choice quiz Thank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Kim Kaleta, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, and Kenneth Revelson.Support the show

In this episode, Jim and May discuss how COVID-19 has made an impact in Puerto Rico and the world, and also how they predict it will affect the future of the tourism industry. They go into detail regarding the toque de queda, or curfew, placed on the streets of Puerto Rico from 7 pm- 5 am. The mission of Spanish and Go has always been bringing you closer to every Spanish speaking country in the world through videos and the podcast. And travel is necessary to make that happen.Obviously, COVID-19 has paused this mission and led to the cancellations of immersion retreats, travel plans, and experiences. Find out what direction they think the whole tourism industry will take, and how the way people travel will likely change. Topics include everything from destinations that they believe will become more popular, to hospitality amenities, to prices. Hear the details by tuning into the newest episode!Links:Spanish and Go Immersion RetreatsCOVID-19 Outbreak - Our Travel ExperienceOur first update after arriving in Guatemala“I think I have it” - Trapped Abroad in GuatemalaNiños de GuatemalaWorldpackersGet 40% off ($20 USD) a one-year membership with code: SPANISHANDGO  Level Up Your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrases Test your comprehension with a multiple choice quiz Thank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Kim Kaleta, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, and Kenneth Revelson.Support the show